Gabon fertiliser scheme delayed as gas supply proves elusive

Plans to drive Gabon’s industrial development using gas have been significantly delayed by the problems associated with securing feedstock for flagship projects – led by a fertiliser scheme that developer Olam International has said will require 750bcf of gas supply over a 25-year period to become one of the world’s lowest-cost producers. Efforts to stop oil companies flaring on their offshore acreage – of which Gabon is one of the persistent offenders – should provide a source of gas for various projects, but so far the government has been unable to secure deals with potential suppliers such as Perenco, Royal Dutch Shell or Total to supply the Gabon Fertilizer Company (GFC) plant.